Bush’s return provides punch to Illinois run game
Illinois’ productive running game needed the boost of a healthy AJ Bush Jr. in order to end the Illini’s 13-game Big Ten losing streak when they faced Rutgers on the road last week.
Bush, out with a hamstring injury since leaving in the first quarter in Week 2 against Western Illinois, rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the Illini’s 38-17 win, the first conference in 700 days.
The Illini (3-2 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) will try to make it two wins in a row Saturday when they host Purdue (2-3, 1-1) in their Homecoming game. They are No. 3 in the conference with 260.8 rushing yards a game under new offensive coordinator Rod Smith, who coached Khalil Tate at Arizona last year.
“It was exciting,” Bush said of his return. “I was very blessed to step back on that field. When you take a step back like that, you really realize how much you love it and you realize you can’t take things for granted.”
Bush had a 41-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and often ran through the line throughout the game. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Bush also has the size to be an effective blocker for running back Reggie Corbin — which happened on a big gain last week.
“I’m always willing to help my team,” Bush said of his blocking. “It was something in the moment that I felt like I couldn’t not (make a block). If I didn’t go block, then it would have looked like I was just out there. I definitely had to help him out.”
Bush is the first Illinois quarterback since Nathan Scheelhaase in 2010 to have multiple 100-yard rushing games in a season. His passing is a work in progress as he completed 10 of 18 passes for only 89 yards against Rutgers.
“Looking from a defensive point of view, when you have a guy who can take off and run the ball like that, most of the time the quarterback’s not accounted for,” coach Lovie Smith said. “It’s a shame when you look at his pass stats that they don’t look better based on what happened during the game.”
Bush had trouble overthrowing receivers, and a pass in end zone was dropped by receiver Carmoni Green.
Despite that, Illinois scored its most points this season in the win over Rutgers and has scored more than 30 three times this season. Bush believes Illinois can score more, starting with the game against Purdue this week.
“I think the way we can play, I think we just gave maybe 70 percent of that,” Bush said. “It’s getting there, but I think this week will be a big week for us to just show everybody in the Big Ten what our offense is really capable of.”